Frame



(No Model.)

' G. M. WHITMORE.

FRAME.

No. 375,906. Patented Jan. 3, 1888.

N PUERS, Phemutho m h UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

CHAR-LES M. \VHITMORE, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of LEC'CGIS Patent No. 375,906, dated January 3, 1888.

Application filed July 28, 1887. Serial No. 245,512. (So model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known thatl, CHARLES M. WHITMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Frames; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in frames and other similar devices; and it consists in the novel features of construction more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed. Heretofore thejoints of similar devices were united by nailing, gluing, or pinning, which in practice has been found to give unsatisfactory re sults. It is more particularly designed for a picture-frame,but,as will readily be seen, is applicable to any device where it is desirable to use a miter-joint.

The object of my invention is to secure at once an inexpensive, durable, and effective device, the details of construction of which will be readily understood by referring to thedrawings.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, in which- Figurelis a back View of a frame of my construction best adapted to carry out the spirit of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in section taken through the line A B. Figs. 3 and 4 are views taken at C D, showing the recess or gutter formed in the end of each piece to admit of turning the right and left hand screw.

a a a a, are the sides of an ordinary frame provided with miter-joints. Z) I) b b are the portions cut away which jointly form the recesses to admit of turning the screws C, which are perforated near their centers to admit of inserting an awl or pin for that purpose. It will be readily understood that by turning the screws at each corner the several sides of the frame will be expanded equally, when a pic ture, glass, or other article may be easily inserted, and by turning the screws in the oppo site direction the article will be securely clamped or retained within a groove which may beformed in theinner surface of the frame.

In addition to the foregoing, I obtain another valuable result by this construction, which I will now describe. The frame being contracted, a canvas may be secured to the front side of the frame, and by turning the screws in the proper direction the canvas is stretched,as forartists use in painting. It may also be of utility in the manufacture of sash and blinds, and other articles too numerous to mention.

I am aware that it is not new to use a right and left hand machine screw fitted to brackets, which in turn are fitted to the back of an art ists stretcher; this therefore I disclaim; but I am not aware that a simple right and left hand wood-screw applied direct to a miterjoint has heretofore been used for that purpose.

Therefore, what I claim, and desire to se cure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, substantially as herein described, of the mitered frame'pieces having portions cut away at either end, so as to form recesses at the back of the frame, and the right and left hand wood-screws contained within said recesses, for the purpose of securing the aforesaid frame-pieces, all arranged and operating substantially as'sct forth.

2. The combination of the mitered framepieces having a portion cut away at each end, so as to jointly form recesses at the back of the frame for the reception of the right and left hand wood-screws for securing thesaid framepieces, said screws being provided near their centers with means for rotating the same, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES M. WHITMORE.

Witnesses:

WILLIS I. FENN, OSSIAN L. HATCH, Jr. 

